Millie Earl, Leader of BCP Council, shares bold insights on local power, SEND reform, and regeneration in The Truth About Local Government podcast. She champions grassroots democracy, town centre housing, and financial discipline amid a £180m SEND deficit. Earl’s leadership focuses on restoring trust, delivering value for residents, and creating inclusive communities through governance reform and strategic investment.

Growth for growth’s sake isn’t enough. Councils must ask: What does success look like for our residents? By defining a local vision, investing in core services, and engaging communities meaningfully, local authorities can lead the way in shaping places that thrive economically and socially. Senior officers and elected Members can find inspiration in Localis’ research. For deeper insight, connect with Joe Fyans directly.

In this episode of The Truth About Local Government, Councillor John Merry CBE shares how cities can lead the charge in meeting the UK’s target of 1.5 million new homes. From the transformation of Salford Quays to the role of Key Cities, John emphasises the need for public-private partnerships, planning certainty, and building communities not just homes. “We need to build the infrastructure… not just properties in an empty field.”

Cathy Palmer, Director of Regeneration Delivery at Walker Sime, joins the Truth About Local Government podcast to explore why some masterplans succeed while others fail. Drawing on her experience in both local government and consultancy, Cathy highlights the importance of early-stage alignment, strong governance, realistic funding, and community engagement. She shares lessons from projects like Birkenhead 2040 and Bolton, offering practical insights for regeneration leaders.

The United Kingdom stands at a pivotal moment in its planning and housing history. With housing affordability deteriorating,...

In today’s competitive and fast-evolving local government landscape, the ability to craft and communicate a compelling story about a...